Kooper Family Rye Whiskey Review

By Douglas Fraser

Rating: B+

The Kooper Family Distillery is family-focused. They trace their values back to their grandparents Howard W. and Jean M. Paredekooper, who followed the American dream by working hard, instilling good values, and emphasizing self-reliance. Their rye whiskey label depicts Howard as the 1944 U.S. Armed Forces Heavyweight Boxing Champion, and the company says it represents the strength and courage to fight for what they want to achieve… becoming the best they can at their craft.

The Whiskey
This blend of sourced rye whiskeys draws on two stocks: one sourced from Tennessee and aged five years, made of 51% rye, 36% corn, and 13% malted barley; and the other sourced from MGP’s 95% rye and 5% malted rye stock, aged three years (Editor’s note: back in 2015, the 95% rye was sourced from KOVAL in Chicago, but not in 2020). Kooper Family Rye Whiskey is bottled at 90 proof/45% ABV. Not the greatest rye whiskey I have had, but damn good.

Color: Pleasant Gold

On the nose are delightful hints of dark chocolate, toffee, peanuts, cocoa, and dill spice. Upon hitting my tongue, the dark chocolate was extremely present with some allspice, brown sugar, sage, oak, and heavy rye flavors. The finish is long with some pepper, vanilla, oak, and continuing spice. Although there was a heavy rye presence, it was not overpowering which made it quite pleasant to drink.

The Price
Kooper Family Rye Whiskey can be found for $40 USD.